Hi, I did this once and broke the wires in the shifter too when I put in speaker wires under the console as part of my stereo. I had to get a new shift knob. If I remember right, the shift knob comes straight up off the shaft but only a little. You don't want to twist it. So you have to lift it straight up but not toooo hard or toooo far. I think an inch or two was about it. The wires are tiny so break very easily. Hope this helps...
